How Travis Turner, coach at center of child porn probe, went from all-American football scion to fugitive from justice
Travis Turner was a beloved figure in a tiny Appalachian town, where high‑school football is practically a religion. Twice honored as “Coach of the Year,” his reputation as a calm, focused leader was the stuff of local legend—one that earned him the title “unflappable” in a 2021 profile by the Herald Courier.
Turner’s roots run deep in the town’s gridiron history. His father, Tom, was a celebrated player and later a conference‑winning coach at the same school. Travis followed in those footsteps, playing quarterback for his dad’s team in the mid‑1990s and finally turning to coaching in 2011. Over the years he rebuilt Union High’s football program after it merged with a nearby school, guiding the Bears to multiple championships and a flawless 12‑0 season this year.
For most of his life, the story seemed straightforward: a devoted dad of three, a veteran coach who truly believed “Coaching – and winning – is in Travis Turner’s blood,” as the Courier put it. He had even earned “Coach of the Year” honors for softball back in 2006.
Everything changed on Thursday when state police arrived at his home to discuss serious criminal accusations. They were not coming to arrest him—those were supposed to come later. The driveway was empty; the family house was silent. Since then, Turner has gone completely off the radar, sparking a multi‑agency hunt that includes drones, K‑9s, and state‑police aviation.
On Tuesday the Virginia State Police released a warrant. They charged him with five counts of possessing child pornography and an equal number of counts for attempting to solicit a minor online, with additional charges to come. The agency labeled him a fugitive, which has thrown the town into crisis.
Union High has kept its response tight. The school announced that an employee had been placed on administrative leave pending an outside review, but didn’t confirm whether that employee was Turner. The statement also said the case was entangled with an active law‑enforcement investigation, preventing further comments.
Turner’s wife, Leslie, who shares a wall of photos on Facebook featuring her husband coaching and the family on the field, fought back in a Daily Mail interview. “None of that is true,” she said. “He’s a good dad and a good husband and we want him home. That’s it.” She added that they were just hanging in there until news came.
She posted a brief Thursday message, only to delete it later. It read that as of 10:25 p.m. that evening, Travis was missing and that was all the information they had.
The Bears, who finished the season 12‑0, were scheduled to play the region final on Saturday, with a win sending them to the state semifinals on December 6. With their head coach gone, assistant Jay Edwards has taken over duties, but the team’s morale is shaking. Students and alumni shared feelings of devastation on social media, describing how the loss of a mentor and example has broken trust for many in the community.
Rumors had been swirling for years about alleged misconduct, and some even suggested that others may be involved. Yet the exact number of victims remains unknown, and police have yet to confirm any additional names.
In interviews before his disappearance, Turner often credited his assistant coaches and his young athletes for building the team’s success. He mentioned how the town’s streets are littered with flags and banners, a testament to a community that supports its schools and athletes with genuine pride. He said their pride “translates” onto the field, driving players to represent the school and themselves in positive ways.
The town’s shock remains palpable, but as the investigation continues, many are still hoping that Turner—if he can be found—will return safe and that the community can heal.
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